Soft Cell – Tainted Love

"Tainted Love" as written by and Edward C. Cobb....
Sometimes I feel I've got to
Run away I've got to
Get away from the pain that you drive into the heart of me
The love we share
Seems to go nowhere
And I've lost my light
For I toss and turn I can't sleep at night

Once I ran to you (I ran)
Now I'll run from you
This tainted love you've given
I give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all
Oh tainted love
Tainted love

Now I know I've got to
Run away I've got to
Get away
You don't really want it any more from me
To make things right
You need someone to hold you tight
And you'll think love is to pray
But I'm sorry I don't pray that way

Once I ran to you (I ran)
Now I'll run from you
This tainted love you've given
I give you all a boy could give you
Take my tears and that's not nearly all
Oh tainted love
Tainted love

Don't touch me please
I cannot stand the way you tease
I love you though you hurt me so
Now I'm going to pack my things and go
Tainted love, tainted love
Tainted love, tainted love
Touch me baby, tainted love
Touch me baby, tainted love
Tainted love
Tainted love
Tainted love


Lyrics submitted by Boonechic_21

"Tainted Love" as written by Ed Cobb

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Tainted Love song meanings
Add your thoughts

77 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +5
    General CommentFor anyone who's interested these are the facts of this song. It was written by Ed Cobb in the 60s and was originally sung by Gloria Jones (the partner of T-Rex's Marc Bolan) In early 80s it was covered by English alternative synth-pop duo Soft Cell, and later again by Marilyn Manson and others.

    Soft Cell's 1981 version is the most well-known version recorded, hence the common misconception that singer-songwriter Marc Almond wrote it. Since the early 80s it's been a dance club staple, especially the kick-ass extended version!

    It is NOT about either AIDS or the tragic death of Marc BOLAN! As far as the lyrics go there's no great mystery. The song is sung from the POV of a guy who's in a toxic - or "tainted" - relationship with another person who is emotionally and physically stringing them along. So although he truly loves the other person, he eventually makes the difficult decision to leave knowing that his own needs will never be met.

    Lantaon August 12, 2009   Link
  • +4
    General Commenthaha...........marilyn mansons was NOT better....
    stupidpunkkidon August 04, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General CommentThe 80's WAS FUN even without cell phone, Xbox Live, or FaceBook. And everybody born in the 70's certainly has every lyric engraved in their minds forever.
    curefan1on August 24, 2010   Link
    • 2 Replies
  • +2
    General Commenti absolutely love this song sooooooooooooooooo much it is so fun listening to it i never get tired of it!!!!!!!!!!!!! i could listen to it 100times and never get tired of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    funny_2002on May 08, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment This is a great song with an awesome beat. I love to listen to it when i am in my car cruisin with friends when i wanna laugh and have a good time!!!
    shakeitrachelon May 11, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General CommentThe 7" version had a cover of "Where did our love go" on the b-side. The 12" version had "Tainted Love" merging into "Where did our love go".
    As a result of having cover versions on both sides of the single Soft Cell made very little money from one of the biggest selling singles ever.
    bobo-sparkyon February 07, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Commentthis is such an AWESOME song -- the two beats between "sometimes i feel i've got to" beat/beat "run away" that are repeated through the song, MAKE the song!
    emmychloeon May 12, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General CommentDun dun! TAINTED LUVVV! that song..is the best...it has by far the most kik-ass beat-beat i've heard in a long time.. i luv this song to death... :-)
    -Pö£ô-
    glo151on May 27, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General CommentActually, I think there's an extended version with that bit from the Supreme's song. Either way, this song is amazing times ten.
    missbinnyon March 09, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General CommentPapaRoacher_5k no man! marlyn manson's version is not better soft cell is better and marlyn manson does not even come close to even good okay get it straight
    funny_2002on July 07, 2003   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain